The abnormal buildup of fluid in the body is called edema. Edema is Swelling caused by excess fluid in body tissues.
It is the sign of inflammation. Edema is commonly seen in the feet and ankles, because of the effect of gravity, swelling is particularly noticeable in feet and ankles.
Common causes of edema are prolonged standing, prolonged sitting, pregnancy, being overweight, and the increase in age.
Minor lower-leg swelling that comes and goes isn't a huge concern. But if foot and ankle swelling is frequent, painful or persists for several weeks,it may be serious.
In the cases the edema is the most prominent feature and is most common in the feet and legs, at times extending to the thighs and trunk and in about one-half the cases including the face. Marked muscular weakness and alimentary disturbances are common. It's important for consult your primary-care doctor.
For starters, swelling can come with complications — including wounds and even infection.
Swelling in the feet can happen for many reasons, such as kidney failure, lymphedema, a blood clot, an injury, or an infection, such as cellulitis.Swelling, also known as edema, may be a sign of a severe health condition, such as diabetes, heart or kidney failure, blood
clots, and liver disease.
The main causes of swollen feet:
(1) Diabetes and swollen feet:Poor blood circulation often causes swollen feet and ankles when you have diabetes. Swelling in the feet and ankles is caused by excess fluid that builds up in the body tissue. Although rare, nerve damage from diabetes can lead to changes in the shape of your feet, such as Charcot's foot. Charcot's foot may start with redness, warmth, and swelling. Later, bones in your feet and toes can shift or break, which can cause your feet to have an odd shape, such as a “rocker bottom.”
Swollen feet are a common symptom of diabetes. High blood sugar can affect your blood vessels, which can allow fluid to pool in your feet and ankles. It can also damage the nerves so you may not notice foot injuries. As your body tries to heal them, that can add to fluid build-up
If you have diabetes, your body isn't able to make or use insulin properly. Insulin is a hormone that breaks down sugar into energy. Too much sugar in the body causes damage to the lining of capillaries. This low-down blood circulation results in foot swelling.
.(2) Congestive heart failure and swelling in legs:
Swollen feet can be a sign of heart failure. When the heart is unable to pump blood around the body effectively, it pools in lower extremities.
Congestive heart failure causes one or both of the heart's lower chambers stop pumping blood well. As a result, blood can back up in the legs, ankles and feet, causing edema. Congestive heart failure can also cause swelling in the stomach area. This condition also can cause fluid to build up in the lungs. Elevating the feet above the heart, drinking plenty of water, and reducing salt intake may all help minimize swelling..
(3) Kidney disease and swelling in legs:
Edema linked to kidney disease usually occurs in the legs and around the eyes. Kidney damage. Damage to the tiny, filtering blood vessels in the kidneys can result in nephrotic syndrome. In nephrotic syndrome, decreased levels of protein in the blood can lead to edema
A spontaneous and temporary elevation of creatinine may be caused by certain medications, intake of high amounts of proteins or red meat, or dehydration. However, persistently high creatinine levels are a serious issue that indicates kidney damage. The symptoms of high creatinine in the body include swelling or edema.
Treating swollen legs from kidney failure:
You can manage edema by following the treatments your doctor recommends. One of these treatments may be a prescription for a diuretic, also known as a water pill, which increases urine production and can help your kidneys remove the excess fluid in your body. Dialysis is another treatment that can reduce swelling.
(4) Lymhedema is a condition in which lymph builds up in tissues and causes swelling. Lymphedema usually affects an arm or leg, but it can also affect other parts of the body. Lymphedema can occur when lymph vessels or nodes become damaged or blocked, which affects the flow of lymph in the body.
While the most common cause of lymphedema worldwide is filariasis caused by infection by Wuchereria bancrofti, in developed countries. Most secondary lymphedema cases are due to malignancy or related to the treatment of malignancy..
(5) Overweight
In most cases, swelling occurs as a result of certain lifestyle factors, such as: Being overweight. Excess body mass can decrease blood circulation, causing fluid to build up in the feet, legs, and ankles
Since your feet are what support your entire weight when standing, any additional weight can result in pain and swelling. Being overweight is one of the main contributors to foot complications.
Extra Weight – Even putting on just a few extra pounds could create serious complications for your feet.
Get medical help right away if your feet are swollen and you're short of breath or have chest pain. These could be signs of fluid or a blood clot in your lungs.
Dr.Wurster says as a person loses weight, pressure on feet comes down, too, which can reduce spreading and swelling,
(6) Liver disease
If cirrhosis (the most advanced stage) develops, you can get more severe symptoms, such as yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes (jaundice), itchy skin, and swelling in the legs, ankles, feet or tummy (oedema).
Stage 3 of liver failure is cirrhosis of your liver.caused by severe liver scarring. At the cirrhosis stage, you may experience more symptoms of liver damage including jaundice, weakness, fatigue, appetite and weight loss, abdominal bloating, and edema in your extremities.
Cutting down on salt can help reduce the chance of swelling in your legs, feet and tummy caused by a build-up of fluid..
(7) Aging:
What happens over time is "the deterioration of valves in our veins as we age," said Mayurkumar Bhakta, MD, an interventional cardiologist at HonorHealth. "This causes a decrease in blood flow back to the heart. So blood begins to pool in the legs instead of circulating well, and this can cause swelling.In particular, changes in chemicals and hormones used to regulate fluid will increase blood pressure in the abdomen and legs, causing leg swelling.
(8) Pregnancy:
Some swelling in the legs and ankles is normal (physiologic) during pregnancy and occurs during the 3rd trimester. Doctors can identify serious causes of swelling based on results of a physical examination, blood pressure measurement, blood and urine tests, and sometimes ultrasonography.
(9)Swelling of the ankles and feet is often an early symptom of venous insufficiency, a condition in which blood inadequately moves up the veins from the legs .
(10) A magnesium deficiency can cause water retention and swelling. Magnesium-rich foods could be a tasty solution to swelling in the feet in that case.
(11)Severe, long-term lack of protein. An extreme lack of protein in the diet over time can lead to edema One of the most common signs that you're not getting enough protein is swelling especially in your abdomen, legs, feet, and hands. The proteins that circulate in your blood -- albumin, in particular -- help keep fluid from building up in your tissues.
The proteins help to hold salt and water inside the blood vessels so fluid does not leak out into the tissues. If a blood protein, called albumin, gets too low, fluid is retained and edema occurs, especially in the feet, ankles and lower legs.
Severe protein deficiency causes fluid retention in the tissues. (edema), which distinguishes kwashiorkor from other forms of malnutrition. People with kwashiorkor may look emaciated in their limbs but swollen in their hands and feet, face and belly.
(12(Cellulitis usually affects the lower legs, but it can occur on the face, arms and other areas. The infection happens when a break in the skin allows bacteria to enter. Left untreated, the infection can spread to the lymph nodes and bloodstream and rapidly become life-threatening.
Foods that are made with a large amount of sugar and fats such as vegetable oil may also be to having swollen feet nearly 40.
*Steps to ease swelling yourself:
•Raise your legs or the swollen area on a chair or pillows
•You can.get some gentle exercise, like walking, to impr Drove your blood flow.
•Wear wide, comfortable shoes with a low heel and soft sole.
•wash, dry and moisturise your feet to avoid infections.
Walk around to increase the blood flow in your lower legs. Move your feet and ankles often while you stand, or tighten and relax your leg muscles.
*Steps to prevent swelling in legs:
(1) Drink lots of Water.
Make sure you consume the recommended 8-12 glasses of water a day to help rid your system of excess sodium and other waste that can attribute to swelling. Keeping a water bottle with you at all times, helps make it easier to drink more! To avoid swelling, it's also important to drink enough water and not eat too much salt so your body doesn't hold onto too much water.
(2)To get rid of swelling fast:
Hold the swollen part of the body above the level of the heart several times a day. Sometimes, raising the swollen area during sleep can be helpful.
(3) Massage. Stroking the affected area toward the heart using firm, but not painful, pressure might help move fluid out of that area
(4) When a doctor is treating
edema directly, loop diuretics tend to be the first-line medication choice. In some cases, a doctor may also recommend using nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, also known as NSAIDs are medicines that are used to relieve pain, and reduce swelling (inflammation). Examples include aspirin, naproxen, ibuprofen, diclofenac, and COX-2 inhibitors such as celecoxib and meloxicam.
(5)Vitamin B1 is good for swelling feet:
Vitamin B 1, also known as Thiamine, is the vitamin that helps your body digest carbs and makes new red blood cells. When you don't have enough B 1 in your diet, you can develop edema. Edema is a condition where your body swells with fluid. Vitamin B 1 deficiency can also cause pain in the lower legs and feet.
(6)The multiple studies show a deficiency of vitamin D can lead to joint pain and swelling. As Vitamin D is required for bone building and bone health, therefore a deficiency of it will negatively affect the bones. Since our school days, we have known how important Vitamin D is for bone health..
(7) Adding fruits and vegetables high in antioxidants, like berries, spinach, and cherries, can also help decrease swelling in feet and ankles.
Foods rich in potassium may help combat fluid retention. Broccoli, cantaloupe, prunes, apricots, bananas and potatoes are all great sources of potassium.
To maintain a healthy sodium balance, choosing foods with a high potassium content, like bananas and avocados, is advisable.
Bananas help swollen feet:
Remember to stay hydrated and limit your salt intake to prevent water retention Bananas are good for swelling feet.bananas can help reduce swelling in the feet by maintaining proper electrolyte balance and providing vitamin B6 for nerve and skin health.
Eat these fruits for their anti-inflammatory benefits
Berries. From strawberries and blackberries to cranberries and blueberries, these gemlike fruits are particularly potent in antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity.
Apples..
Stone fruits.
Citrus.
Pomegranates.
Grapes.
Pineapple and Ginger Juice
Pineapple and ginger have anti-inflammatory properties that can boost the immune system, support healthy digestion, combat joint pain, and enhance overall health. Moreover, pineapple is rich in vitamin C and antioxidants. Ginger contains several antioxidant compounds, Foods that are regularly eaten such as processed, refined, and salted may increase the chances of developing swollen feet.
*Home Care to stop swelling in your feet:
•Put your legs on pillows to raise them above your heart while lying down.
•Exercise your legs.
•Follow a low-salt diet, which may reduce fluid buildup and swelling
•Wear support stockings (sold at most drugstores and medical supply stores).
•When traveling, take breaks often to stand up and move around.
Healthy eating tips to help reduce inflammation:
•Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables..
•Choose high-fiber carbohydrates.
•Eat more fiber.
•Choose plant-based and leaner animal protein sources.
•Be conscious of your fat sources.
•Reduce the omega-6 to omega-3 ratio in the diet.
•Reduce your sugar intake.
•Limit or avoid alcohol.
•Foods to be avoided:
Foods high in added sugar, such as candy, jelly and syrup. Sugar-sweetened beverages such as soda, bottled or canned tea drinks, and sports drinks. Trans fats, found in margarine, microwave popcorn, refrigerated biscuits and dough, and nondairy coffee creamers.
Information compiled by Dr Bhairavsinh Raol
